Information is a corporate resource, as important as the capital, labour, know-how etc.

and is being used for

decision-making. Its quality, therefore, is required to be very high. A low quality information would adversely
affect the organizational performance as it affects decision-making. The quality of information is the result
of the quality of the input data, processing design, system design, system and procedures which generate
such a data, and the management of the data processing function. Quality, unlike any other product, is not
an absolute concept. Its level is determined with reference to the context and its use, and the user. Perfect
quality just as perfect information is non achievable and has cost-benefit implications.
However, it is possible to measure the quality of information on certain parameters. All these parameters
need not have a very high value. Some parameters may have lesser importance in the total value on
account of their relevance in the information and its use.
The quality parameters which are generally considered are shown in the table
Individual
differences

Explanation

Effect information
on processing

Examples

Locus of control
internal or external to
the situation.

The degree of perception in

assessing the control which is
internal to the organization or
external to the organization.

More information
gathering and analysis,
if internal.

The decisions, production selection of

tools and materials etc.

Personal dogmatism.

The degree of faith in beliefs,

opinions and past experience.

Low dogmatism, then

more
information
collection
and
processing.

The pricing, advertising in a Competitive

environment.

Risk propensity.

The ability to take the risk.

Higher, then more

information gathering
and analysis.

The top management decision-making in

a strategic planning.

Tolerance for
ambiguity.

Level of clarity required in the

information. The ability to read
through the information.

Tight tolerance then

more information
collection and analysis.

Manager Constantly asking for more

information.

Manipulative
intelligence.

The ability to manipulate the data

and information vis--vis the stored
information and knowledge.
Extent of experience at particular
level of decision making.

High ability, then less

information and more
self analysis.
High, then correct
filtering of data and
appropriate choice of
decision makingprocess.
Higher, then less
information relevant to
and tools correct
analysis.

Experienced and skillful managers rely

on the manipulative intelligence.

Experience in decisionmaking.

Knowledge of the task,

tools and technology.

The extent of knowledge in the

application of the tools and
technology.

The managers with a wide experience in

the different fields of management call
for precise and less but pertinent
information.
The Technocrat scientists, and
managers of technology have definite
information.

The quality of these important parameters is ensured by conducting a proper systems analysis, designing a
suitable information system and ensuring its maintenance from time to time, and also subjecting it to audit
checks to ensure the system integrity.

The quality of the parameters is assured if the following steps are taken.
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
vii.
viii.
ix.
x.
xi.
xii.

All the input is processed and controlled, as input and process design.
All updating and corrections are completed before the data processing begins.
Inputs (transactions, documents, fields and records) are subject to validity checks.
The access to the data files is protected and secured through an authorization scheme.
Intermediate processing checks are introduced to ensure that the complete data is processed
right through, i.e. run to run controls.
Due attention is given to the proper file selection in terms of data, periods and so on.
Backup of the data and files are taken to safeguard corruption or loss of data.
The system audit is conducted from time to time to ensure that the information system
specifications are not violated.
The system modifications are approved by following a set procedure which begins with
authorization of a change to its implementation followed by an audit.
Systems are developed with a standard specification of design and development.
Information system processing is controlled through programme control, process control and
access control.
Ensure MIS model confirms consistency to business plan satisfying information needs to
achieve business goals.

The assurance of quality is a continuing function and needs to be evolved over a period and requires to be
monitored properly. It cannot be assessed in physical units of measure. The user of the information is the
best judge of the quality.

Managing an E-business & Challenges before an E-business - Due to Internet capabilities and web
technology, traditional business organization definition has undergone a change where scope of the
enterprise now includes other company locations, business partners, customers and vendors. It has no
geographic boundaries as it can extend its operations where Internet works. All this is possible due to
Internet and web moving traditional paper driven organization to information driven Internet enabled Ebusiness enterprise. E-business enterprise is open twenty-four hours, and being independent, managers,
vendors, customers transact business any time from anywhere. Internet capabilities have given E-business
enterprise a cutting edge capability advantage to increase the business value. It has opened new channels
of business as buying and selling can be done on Internet. It enables to reach new markets across the
world anywhere due to communication capabilities. It has empowered customers and vendors / suppliers
through secured access to information to act, wherever necessary. The cost of business operations has
come down significantly due to the elimination of paper-driven processes, faster communication and
effective collaborative working. The effect of these radical changes is the reduction in administrative and
management overheads, reduction in inventory, faster delivery of goods and services to the customers.

In E-business enterprise traditional people organization based on 'Command Control' principle is absent. It
is replaced by people organization that is empowered by information and knowledge to perform their role.
They are supported by information systems, application packages, and decision-support systems. It is no
longer functional, product, and project or matrix organization of people but E-organization where people
work in network environment as a team or work group in virtual mode. E-business enterprise is more
process-driven, Technology-enabled and uses its own information and knowledge to perform. It is lean in
number, flat in structure, broad in scope and a learning organization. In E-business enterprise, most of the
things are electronic, use digital technologies and work on databases, knowledge bases, directories and
document repositories. The business processes are conducted through enterprise software like ERP, SCM,
and CRM supported by data warehouse, decision support, and knowledge management systems. Today
most of the business organizations are using Internet technology, network, and wireless technology for
improving the business performance measured in terms of cost, efficiency, competitiveness and profitability.
They are using E-business, Ecommerce solutions to reach faraway locations to deliver product and
services. The enterprise solutions like ERP, SCM, and CRM run on Internet (Internet / Extranet) & Wide
Area Network (WAN). The business processes across the organization and outside run on E- technology
platform using digital technology. Hence today's business firm is also called E-enterprise or Digital firm.
The paradigm shift to E-enterprise has brought four transformations, namely:
Domestic business to global business.
Industrial manufacturing economy to knowledge-based service economy.
Enterprise Resource Management to Enterprise Network Management.
Manual document
driven business
process to
paperless,
electronically transacted business process.
These transformations have made conventional organization design obsolete.

automated,

In E-enterprise, business is conducted electronically. Buyers and sellers through Internet drive the market
and Internet-based web systems. Buying and selling is possible on Internet. Books, CDs, computer, white
goods and many such goods are bought and sold on Internet. The new channel of business is well-known
as Ecommerce. On the same lines, banking, insurance, healthcare are being managed through Internet Ebanking, E-billing, E-audit, & use of Credit cards, Smart card, ATM, E-money are the examples of the
Ecommerce application. The digital firm, which uses Internet and web technology and uses E-business and
Ecommerce solutions, is a reality and is going to increase in number.
MIS for E-business is different compared to conventional MIS design of an organization. The role of MIS in
E-business organization is to deal with changes in global market and enterprises. MIS produces more
knowledge-based products. Knowledge management system is formally recognized as a part of MIS. It is
effectively used for strategic planning for survival and growth, increase in profit and productivity and so on.
To achieve the said benefits of E-business organization, it is necessary to redesign the organization to
realize the benefits of digital firm. The organization structure should be lean and flat. Get rid of rigid
established infrastructure such as branch office or zonal office. Allow people to work from anywhere.
Automate processes after reengineering the process to cut down process cycle time. Make use of
groupware technology on Internet platform for faster response processing. Another challenge is to convert
domestic process design to work for international process, where integration of multinational information
systems using different communication standards, country-specific accounting practices, and laws of
security are to be adhered strictly.

Internet and networking technology has thrown another challenge to enlarge the scope of organization
where customers and vendors become part of the organization. This technology offers a solution to
communicate, coordinate, and collaborate with customers, vendors and business partners. This is just not a
technical change in business operations but a cultural change in the mindset of managers and workers to
look beyond the conventional organization. It means changing the organization behaviour to take
competitive advantage of the E-business technology.
The last but not the least important is the challenge to organize and implement information architecture and
information technology platforms, considering multiple locations and multiple information needs arising due
to global operations of the business into a comprehensive MIS.
E-COMMERCE is a second big application next to ERP. It is essential deals with buying and selling of
goods. With the advent of intent and web technology, E-Commerce today covers an entire commercial
scope online including design and developing, marketing, selling, delivering, servicing, and paying for
goods. Some E-Commerce application add order tracking as a feature for customer to know the delivery
status of the order.
The entire model successfully works on web platform and uses internet technology. E- Commerce process
has two participants, namely
Buyer and
Seller, like in traditional business model.
And unique and typical to E-commerce there is one more participant to seller by authorization and
authentication of commercial transaction.
E-Commerce process model can be viewed in four ways and categories:
B2C: Business Organisation to Customer
B2B: Business Organisation to Business
C2B: Customer to Business Organisation
C2C: Customer to Customer
In B2C Model, business organization uses websites or portals to offer information about product, through
multimedia clippings, catalogues, product configuration guidelines, customer histories and so on. A new
customer interacts with the site and uses interactive order processing system for order placements. On
placements of order, secured payment systems comes into operation to authorize and authenticate
payment to seller. The delivery system then take over to execute the delivery to customer.
In B2B Model, buyer and seller are business organizations. They exchange technical & commercial
through websites and portals. Then model works on similar line like B2C. More advanced B2B model uses
Extranet and Conducts business transaction based on the information status displayed on the buyers
application server.
In C2B Model, customer initiates actions after logging on to sellers website or to server. On the server of
the selling organization, E-Commerce application are present for the use of the customer. The entire
Internet banking process work on C2B model where account holders of the bank transact a number of
requirements such as seeking account balance, payment and so on.

In C2C model, Customer Participates in the process of selling and buying through the auction website. In
this model, website is used for personal advertising of products or services. E- Newspaper website is an
Example of advertising and selling of goods to customer.
In B2B Model, the participants in E-business are two organisation with relations as buyer=seller, distributordealer and so on.
E-Collaboration every business has a number of work scenarios where group of people work together to
complete the tasks and to achieve a common objective. The group could be teams or virtual teams with
different member strength. They come together to platform a task to achieve some results. The process is
called Collaboration. The Biggest Advantage of E- Collaboration is that it taps the collective wisdom,
knowledge and experience of the members. The collaboration team or group could be within the
organization and between the organisation as well.
Since, E-Collaboration works on an internet platform and uses web technology, work group/team need not
be at one physical location.
E-collaboration uses E-Communication capabilities to perform collaborative tasks or project assignment. Its
effectiveness is increased by software GroupWare that enables the members of the group to share
information, invoke an application and work together to create documents and share them and so on.
E-Collaboration helps work effectively on applications like calendaring and scheduling tasks, event, project
management, workflow application, work group application.
E-collaboration system components are internet, Intranet, Extranet and LAN, WAN networks for
communication through GroupWare tools, browser.
Let us illustrate the model using an event in the business such as receipt of material for a job to be
processed on the shop floor. In this event there is a transaction receipt of material, which needs to be
processed, and then a workgroup will use this information of material receipt. Each member of this
workgroup has a different goal.

Internet is a global network of interconnected computers, enabling users to share information along multiple
channels. Typically, a computer that connects to the Internet can access information from a vast array of
available servers and other computers by moving information from them to the computer's local memory.
The same connection allows that computer to send information to servers on the network; that information
is in turn accessed and potentially modified by a variety of other interconnected computers. A majority of
widely accessible information on the Internet consists of inter-linked hypertext documents and other
resources of the World Wide Web (WWW). Computer users typically manage sent and received information
with web browsers; other software for users' interface with computer networks includes specialized
programs for electronic mail, online chat, file transfer and file sharing.

The movement of information in the Internet is achieved via a system of interconnected computer networks
that share data by packet switching using the standardized Internet Protocol Suite (TCP/IP). It is a "network
of networks" that consists of millions of private and public, academic, business, and government networks
of local to global scope that are linked by copper wires, fiber-optic cables, wireless connections, and other
technologies.
Difference between internet, intranet and extranet as follow:
Extranet:
An extranet is a private network that uses the Internet protocols and the public telecommunication system
to securely share part of a business's information or operations with suppliers, vendors, partners,
customers, or other businesses. An extranet can be viewed as part of a company's intranet that is extended
to users outside the company. An extranet requires security and privacy.
A new buzzword that refers to an intranet that is partially accessible to authorized outsiders. Whereas an
intranet resides behind a firewall and is accessible only to people who are members of the same company
or organization, an extranet provides various levels of accessibility to outsiders. You can access an extranet
only if you have a valid username and password, and your identity determines which parts of the extranet
you can view.
An extranet is somewhat very similar to an intranet. Extranets are designed specifically to give external,
limited access to certain files of your computer systems to:

Certain large or privileged customers.

Selected industry partners.
Suppliers and subcontractors etc.

Therefore, a carefully designed extranet can bring additional business to your company. Intranets and
extranets all have three things in common:

They both use secured Internet access to the outside world.

Both can drastically save your company or organization a lot of money.
Both need a user ID & password to control access to the whole system.

The professional development team at My Web Services has the expertise and the right tools to design the
right intranet or extranet that will meet your exact needs, both for today and the future.
Intranet:
An internal use, private network inside an organisation that uses the same kind of software which would
also be found on the Internet.
Inter-connected network within one organization that uses Web technologies for the sharing of information
internally, not worldwide. Such information might include organization policies and procedures,
announcements, or information about new products.
An intranet is a restricted-access network that works like the Web, but isn't on it. Usually owned and
managed by a company, an intranet enables a company to share its resources with its employees without
confidential information being made available to everyone with Internet access.

A network based on TCP/IP protocols (an internet) belonging to an organization, usually a corporation,
accessible only by the organization's members, employees, or others with authorization. An intranet's Web
sites look and act just like any other Web sites, but the firewall surrounding an intranet fends off
unauthorized access. Like the Internet itself, intranets are used to share information.
An intranet is an information portal designed specifically for the internal communications of small, medium
or large businesses, enterprises, governments, industries or financial institutions of any size or complexity.
Intranets can be custom-designed to fit the exact needs of businesses no matter where they are situated.
Users of intranets consists mainly of:

Members of the executive team.

Accounting and order billing.

Managers and directors.

Sales people and support staff.

Customer service, help desk, etc.

Internet:
An electronic network of computers that includes nearly every university, government, and research facility
in the world. Also included are many commercial sites. It started with four interconnected computers in
1969 and was known as ARPAnet.
A network of computer networks which operates world-wide using a common set of communications
protocols.
The vast collection of inter-connected networks across the world that all use the TCP/IP protocols.
A global network connecting millions of computers. A worldwide network of computer networks.
It is an interconnection of large and small networks around the globe. The Internet began in 1962 as a
resilient computer network for the US military and over time has grown into a global communication tool of
more than 12,000 computer networks that share a common addressing scheme.